On the Stability of Laminar Flow

Abstract

The stability of laminar flow has for a long time been a subject of considerable dispute, and it is only recently that clarity has been achieved in the essential points. Recently two surveys of the problem, by Lin [3] and by Tollmien [13] have been published. Since these surveys and the calculations contained in them have contributed essentially to the clarity in this problem, I need not here repeat the survey in detail. I would like however to go shortly through the history of the problem and to add a few remarks at those points where I think that a further clarification is necessary. At the same time I would like to discuss the physical interpretation of the mathematical results and to compare it with the physical interpretation of the statistical isotropic turbulence.

This address was listed on the printed program under the title Die Stabilitätsfragen der Flüssigkeitsdynamik im Zusammenhang mil der statischen Turbulenztheorie.